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Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Agreement & Contract Negotiator
Job Summary:
The School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), is a major academic unit of the University of Wisconsin - Madison, a preeminent center for discovery, learning and engagement. SMPH accounts for over one-third of the research portfolio of the university, which exceeds $1.4b in annual sponsored program awards. The school is closely affiliated with the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority ("UWHCA"), an academic health system with annual revenues in excess of $5.4b.
The SMPH contracts team, housed within the SMPH Fiscal Affairs division, supports contracting for various SMPH activities including federal and non- federal sponsored research, corporate agreements, fee-for-service agreements, data use agreements, nondisclosure agreements, industry consulting agreements, purchasing agreements, and university-related entrepreneurial agreements. The individual in this position will negotiate agreements with third parties, and work closely with SMPH stakeholders to ensure institutional contracting goals are met.
This position requires a commitment to building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. The individual in this position will regularly communicate with those stakeholders to ensure complete understanding of risk and compliance issues. This position works with multiple units of the university and health system including the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, the Office of Legal Affairs, the Office of Cybersecurity, and Purchasing Services.
This individual may work with the contracts team to develop technological solutions for contract processing and management, and may be involved in policy development.
The SMPH Contract Specialist reports to the SMPH Director or Contracts.
- This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be given first consideration
- Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
- Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.
- Demonstrated attention to detail.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Assists with process improvement and data monitoring related to SMPH contracting
- Modifying and drafting contracts, agreements, and MOU’s for unique circumstances
- Reviews, interprets, and negotiates contracts and agreements according to established policies and procedures
- Serves as a liaison to legal professionals and internal and external stakeholders in negotiating terms and conditions such as ownership of intellectual property, research compliance, fiscal reporting requirements, and payment schedules as needed
Department:
School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Administration - Fiscal Affairs
The Office of Fiscal Affairs provides fiscal and administrative support to more than 50 departments, centers, institutes and administrative units within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. The office also provides assistance for a variety of funding types, including school funding, grants, gifts and recharge funds.
The SMPH contracts team, housed within the Office of Fiscal Affairs, supports contracting for various SMPH activities including federal and non- federal sponsored research, corporate agreements, fee-for-service agreements, data use agreements, nondisclosure agreements, industry consulting agreements, purchasing agreements, and university-related entrepreneurial agreements.
Compensation:
The expected salary range for this position is $63,126 up to $85,467 for highly experienced candidates and actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage and the SMPH FAASLI Benefits Flyer 2026.
Required Qualifications:
- Two or more years of experience drafting, negotiating, or interpreting contracts required. Internship and academic experience may be considered by the hiring committee for this experience.
- Two or more years of experience developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- One or more years identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- One or more years of experience interpreting, applying, and communicating complex policies and procedures. Preferably related to research and/or healthcare operations.
- Experience developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Contract experience at a major educational or healthcare institution
- Experience using Microsoft Office, with experience using project management/workflow/business intelligence software
- Experience developing and/or implementing technological solutions to improve processes
- Experience applying HIPAA regulations
Education:
Terminal Degree preferred; J.D preferred
How to Apply:
For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.
To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.
Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.
- Cover letter (required)
- Resume (required)
Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the Required and Preferred Qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.
University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.
The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees.
Contact Information:
Cody Roekle, croekle@wisc.edu, 608-263-7676
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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